In reply to Stoney Applesmith (msg # 7):

Boris wiped his brow and looked uneasy as he surveyed the abandoned-seeming ville.

"No people. No livestock. Trees and moss has overgrown the town, yet there is no underbrush.

"What do you make of it? We encountered that mimic-demon in the cave. Perhaps this is something larger? I sense some kind of devilry at work."

A brief peek into the windows reveal an even stranger sight.  Everything appears perfectly in order.  No dust nor fungus cling to the boards.  Possessions of all manner still sat, appearing in perfect order.  Even the candles in their respective holders appeared new and clean.

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 9):

After peering through one of the windows, himself.
"Maybe they are hiding.  They saw us coming, and hid."
Looking around now for more recent signs of life.  Footprints, movement, anything.

There are no visible signs of footprints inside any of the buildings, i.e. muddy footprints or the like.  No dust appears visible inside either making it further difficult to judge if anyone had recently walked there.  The ground, too, possessed no identifiable markings of any kind to indicate recent movement.

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 11):

Genuinely puzzled, Boris scratched his head.

"I can't fathom this. No people. But no signs of struggle. Branches go through the walls, but there is no dust, no weeds of underbrush. And there is an unnatural sheen to the wood. Is this ville cursed? Is this some kind of simulacrum? A faerie village?"

Drawing his sword he grabbed a long tree branch and chopped it off. Trimming it he was left with a ten-foot pole. Using this he proceeded to poke the wall of the building and probe inside the entrance.

In reply to Boris Underhill (msg # 12):

"Well, it looks like whomever was here left in a hurry." Larz said stating the obvious. "Let's check out the Inn Stoney, maybe they left the spirits too."

In reply to Larzander Gunderzen (msg # 13):

"You go on ahead. I don't trust these buildings. There's definitely something unholy about them."

Ondrea stands with Boris in the center of the 'town'.  Both darting their gazes about for any signs of movement or worse.

As Boris begins probing, he finds everything to be as expected...at least of a structure not encased in wilderness.  The walls and the floor were equally solid and sound.  Nor did any sort of booby trap discharge or creature appear or move.

As Larz peers into the inn, he is pleasantly surprised to find that, not only did everyone apparently leave in a great rush, but they left all their provisions.  From his vantage point, he could clearly see several shelves lined with bottles, presumably various liquors, as well as a large platter adorned with several loaves of bread.

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 15):

"Great find Larz!"
Stoney slaps him on the back, as he walks by.
"Lets get some food and drinks in here. Everyone, food in here!"
Walking past the regular sized man, Stoney opens the door, and puts a foot inside....

Holding the story there, to see if he vanishes, or his leg evaporates, or...?

As Stoney crosses the doorway threshold...nothing happens.  He enters the room with nae a board creaking upon his approach.

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 17):

Placing foot in front of foot, Stoney stops right through the threshold.
"Come on in.  I am going to grab a drink."
Grabbing a coin and placing it on the counter.  Head turning left, then right peering down the bar looking for service.  Knowing darn well there wont be anyone there, but more out of respect.
Leaving the coin on the bar, and with no response from the barkeep, Stoney helps himself.
Grabs a mug, and a bottle of some spirits.  (No pun intended) Pours a fair share that the coin should cover.
"Anyone else want a glass, I'm buying."

Ondrea turns to her small companion "I would have advised camping at the cave mouth, but now whatever this is we are committed." Looking at the other buildings Ondrea begins to search around the village without entering a structure looking for anything which might explain what is going on.

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In reply to Ondrea Avalor (msg # 19):

"Pour me up one too." Larz replied to Stoney. "My foot is aching something fierce. I could use a pain killer."

"Wonder what in the hells happened here?" the barbarian commented as he was walking over to join his friend at the bar. "Looks like everyone vanished." Then he remembered the winged demons the group had fought a couple of nights back and shuddered. "Don't suppose those little winged bastards carried them all away do you?"

In reply to Larzander Gunderzen (msg # 20):

Pouring a glass for Larz & himself.
"Not sure what did this or why.  I have read stories of when gods wipeout entire villages, though.  Maybe this village was one of those that weren't pure to their god."

In reply to Ondrea Avalor (msg # 19):

Boris seemed relieved they weren't looting the place... yet.

"We may still return to the cave mouth. Let's procure what supplies we need, leave payment, then retire to the cave to set up a camp there. Not here, dear God, anywhere but here.

"Or at least that's what I will do. By myself if necessary. I think this unholy place accursed!"

The inn is stocked exactly as you would expect a working establishment to be.  Aside from the assorted spirits and still-soft bread, the back room is stocked with various fresh vegetables, smoked and curing meats, spices and other assorted food stuffs.

In reply to Boris Underhill (msg # 22):

"Sounds like a good plan Boris." Larz commented before taking a long draw from his drink. "I don't like the idea of being around here after dark. What do you think Ondrea?>"

In reply to Boris Underhill (msg # 22):

"Agreed..." Ondrea will help carry the supplies and lead the way back to the cave mouth.

In reply to Ondrea Avalor (msg # 25):

Grabbing the drink, slamming it.  reaching for a new bottle, and leaving a few more coins to cover the cost.

"Ok, then shall we head back up to the camp site, before it gets too dark?

Fate was not upon your side as half way back up the mountain the light ran away behind the distant horizon.  Your sense of timing seemed to be rather off as hours seemed to come and go at will.  Perhaps you are simply tired from the travel and need a rest to collect your bearings.  While the moonlight was sufficient to see the trail by, your movement was further hindered; reaching the mouth of the cave long after sunset.    Gazing out at the landscape once more, a curious sight catches your attention.  A brilliant orange glow dances against the trees causing shadows to jump and flit about from branch to branch.  The town, or at least where you think it was, seems to be lit up, as if someone came home and lit all the torches and lanterns.

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 27):

"Well that is interesting."
Pointing down the city.

"This place sure is weird, I wonder what is going on."

Ondrea look at the village with a look of concern over her face. "I think it is some sort of trap to convince the unwary to spend a night under one of those roofs. If it is part of the plan of the ruffians we seek it is very convincing..."

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In reply to Ondrea Avalor (msg # 29):

"Maybe someone set the place on fire." Larz said looking back towards the town. "I really don't like it here. Everything is so unfamiliar."

Either way should we make it to the morn unmolested I believe we leave the village to itself and continue our search else where."</rose> She gets to setting out their camp, dropping her bed roll etc...


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So...consensus says crash the night at the cave mouth?